R. Charlie Shultz, John Derksen Lethbridge College. Dr. Nick Savidov Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development

Transcription

1 R. Charlie Shultz, John Derksen Lethbridge College Dr. Nick Savidov Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development Aqua Europe 2014 San Sebastian, Basque Country, Spain

2 In the Beginning. Aquaponics research in Alberta was strongly driven by the industry A number of fish growers in Alberta built greenhouses and started growing vegetables since mid 90s Alberta Agriculture started aquaponics research in 1994

3 Aquaponics research in Southern Alberta Aquaponics research in South Alberta was initiated by Eric Hutchings, provincial aquaculture specialist, after he took aquaponics course at University of Virgin Islands The research started from building greenhouse at Aquaculture Centre of Excellence, Lethbridge College

4 Aquaculture Centre of Excellence Lethbridge College Ron Beck and Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development Eric Hutchings Svat Jonas Bill Hirsche

5 Aquaculture Centre of Excellence Lethbridge, 2003

6 2002 CDC South, Brooks, AB

7 Brooks Aquaponics Facility was based on the model developed at the University of Virgin Islands Fish tanks Clarifiers Filter tanks DFT plant growing troughs

8 Dr. James Rakocy, summer of 2002

9

10 Four different models/generations of commercial aquaponics prototypes were designed and tested in Brooks Research Center, Alberta

11 2 nd Generation Aquaponics Facility Fish tanks Clarifiers Filter tanks DFT plant growing tray

12 Parameters of the pilot scale system in Brooks, Alberta Total volume 73 m 3 Plant area 84 m 2 Flow rate 700 L min 1 Fish production capacity 3.7 tons year 1 Basil crop production 3.5 tons year 1

13 3 rd Generation Aquaponics Facility GeoTube Sump P1 P2 4 P3 4 Fish tank Swirl Separators Clarifier Limestone filter tanks

14 The two-loop-design system in Canada has three main parts: Fish Rearing Plant Production Waste Treatment

15 Generation 3 aquaponics facility GeoTube Sump P1 P2 P3 Clarifier AB1 Fish tanks Swirl Separator s Filters Limestone filter tanks AB2 Plant Tray Clean water Nutrient Rich Water Solids Removal Cleaning Circuit Aeration

16 Sludge accumulation in the plant tray results in: Anaerobic decay of organic material Accumulation of ammonium and other toxic compounds Fast growth of opportunistic pathogens, such as Pythium Plant stress and yield loss due to diseases

17 Pythium Root Rot

18 Improper waste management results in the system failure in 95% of all cases

19 Generation 4 Aquaponics System GeoTube Tank Aerobic biodigester with two pumps and one LHO Sump tank with two pumps and one LHO LHO Oxygen Generator 2 P1 4 2 Drum Filter 3 3 P3 P3 Oxygen Generators P3 Oxygenenriching tank with two LHOs AB1 4 Fish Tanks Clarifier Air Blowe r Plant pond Filtration tanks with limestone Clean water Nutrient Rich Water Cleaning Circuit Aeration Solids Removal Circute

20

21

22 Oxygenation in 4 th Generation aquaponics

23

24 Hospital Oxygen Concentrator 95% pure oxygen

25 Advantages of oxygenation over aeration Higher dissolved oxygen level, up to 22 ppm, higher fish stocking density Higher positive redox potential - faster mineralization rate No water splashing better food safety Less power consumed Less water evaporation rate 0.1% per day Better management

26 Features of Generation 4 Aquaponics System Stable ph at Zero waste Zero water discharge 100% nutrient use efficiency No fertilizer supplements Minimum labor Highest water use efficiency achieved

27 Commercialization of new generation aquaponics in Canada

28 Commercial aquaponics system at Red Hat Cooperative, Redcliff, Alberta

29 Fish tanks, 8 diameter, 4 deep Plant bed, 215 sq. m, 1 foot deep (average)

30 Aquaponic cucumbers

31 MDM Aquafarms, Alberta

32 Northern Bioponics, British Columbia

33

34

35 There are several Canadian companies commercializing the technology with total investment over $3.0 M in Alberta alone

36 THANK YOU, San Sebastian! And the Surf Gods! Thank you BREEN! Questions?